Tomorrow, June 6th, we have been at Llaingof for 100 very happy, busy days. I guess although we feel that things are moving along slowly, actually we have managed to do quite a lot, though there is plenty more to do. In the veg garden we have about 200 onions, 50 leeks, 12 tomato plants, seven different types of potato, peppers, radishes, strawberries, melons, cucumbers, butternut squash, lettuce, parsley, courgettes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, celery, so if everything carries on growing well, the wind in Penboyr could be rising. We have yet to start on developing the house,guess that will come later in the year when the weather is not so good.
The golden girls ( chickens) have settled in well, and are keen to help with any digging or gardening that needs doing, or doesn't need doing, they are still willing to help. Most of the day they are free range in one of our fields, but every now and then they get returned to their arc when they are being over enthusiastic with offers of help. They follow me at a cracking pace when I shake their Quality Street tin ( full of corn) and are quite easy to get back into their pen. To my amazement they patiently wait for their turn to lay an egg. There is only one nesting box, and during the morning we will suddenly see one of the hens hurrying back to the arc, and dashing up the stairs to the nesting box. All goes quiet for a while, and then, when the deed has been done, the chicken really does announce it to the world with a lot of cackling and " look what Ive done " noises. Then that chicken returns to the garden, and shortly one of the others will head off to repeat the ritual. Most days we get two eggs , and about every fourth day we get three, so I am kept busy thinking of what to do with all these lovely eggs. Approximatrely twice a week we have a double yolker, which is always a nice surprise. I can now turn out a very tasty lemon curd and can always think of another cake to bake, and of course eat. I will have to watch the waist line.
This week I have seen some unusual sights. Ruby the dog trying to climb the stairs into the chickens sleeping quarters ( I think she gets worried when one of her friends dissapears for a while. ) I have also seem ruby eat the sheep food, the sheep chasing Daisy the cat out of their field, Daisy eating the bird seed, and the chickens eating my beans ( pests) I have also seem the chickens peck hopefully at the Quailiy Street tin when I have not yet put it away. Maud, Davids favorite sheep is now so tame that she stands still for David to give her a good scratch, just like a dog. Im not sure that sheep can smile, but if they can Maud does. Her fleece is about six inches thick, and looks a right mess on the outside where she has got a little wet, then rolled in the dry sand in the field. I sure dont fancy a jumper made from anything that comes off her back, though no doubt the fleece will look a lot better when it has had a wash and brush up.
The other strange site i have seem is Brian, actually doing some of the fencing, hopefully he will not have too many graves to dig this week and can get on with the gates etc. He has cut down quite a few overhanging branches from trees which he felt would potentially damage the new fence. I was surprised to see the sheep stripping the branches of all greenery. We will have plenty of fire wood to chop up and add to out wood store( which needs a jolly good sort out ). Wood is usually stored for at least a year before it is put into the wood burner, and if it can season for 2 years thats even better. Even managing the wood store requires a bit of thought. Apart from being kept as dry as possible, it is useful to stack the wood in year piles so you can use them in rotatio.The logs also need to be cut to a size that will actually fit in the log burner, and they usually need spiltting, otherwise the fire will just go out when you chuck a big log on.My goodness, never thought there would be so much to know about firewood.
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